Monday Whiteboard: News and Notes 10/2

Rankings, Polls and RPI!   Last week on Monday we covered the RPI format that the WIAA uses, and how it can be much different than how the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association rankings sees the top teams in the state.   All the top RPI teams have an unblemished record, and remember only official matches count, tournaments are not taken into account. Here are the top teams in each class in the RPI compared to the rankings from the September 27th Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association:   4A: Coaches- Puyallup (10th in RPI). RPI: Gonzaga Prep (6th in Coaches).   3A: Coaches- NOT ENOUGH VOTER PARTICIPATION. RPI: Lynnwood   2A: Coaches-Columbia River (4th in RPI) RPI: Shadle Park (9th in Coaches).   1A: Coaches and RPI- Cedar Park Christian (Bothell).   2B: Coaches- Manson (2nd in RPI). RPI: Adna (4th in Coaches).   1B: Coaches and RPI: Oakesdale.   The RPI and the Coaches rankings tightened up in just one week, with the 1A/2B/1B close in alignment. Winning is the most important factor in keeping your RPI high, and the best teams should keep winning at a steady pace as league play continues. In the 4A/3A/2A there are some discrepancies, we will keep an eye on the two rankings as the season continues.   The next WSVCA Rankings go live on the 4th of October, check out the rankings at <a href="https://www.wsvbca.com/">https://www.wsvbca.com/</a>. Coaches- the WSVCA needs you to vote in the rankings!   WHERE ARE THEY NOW?   Each Monday we will be checking in on players from the class of 2023 at the next level. Arden Caley traveled across the country and is suiting up for the University of New England. The 6'2 Caley is an opposite from ITVC and Skyline High School, and the freshman has recorded a season high of 9 kills while seeing action in 9 games for the Nor'Easters.   Abbey Harrell traded in small city Ellensburg in Central Washington for Villanova in Philadelphia, PA and has not missed a beat so far. The outside hitter has started all season and is leading the team in kills. Harrell is second in aces and third in digs for the 10-6 Wildcats who play in the Big East conference.   MATCHUPS TO WATCH THIS WEEK   UNDER REVIEW- Last week we had Ridgefield vs Columbia River, Burlington-Edison vs Meridian and Kamiakin at the Sheridan-Welch Crossover Tournament as three matchups to watch. Columbia River was impressive in a three set win over the Spudders, with [player_tooltip player_id='201023' first='Lauren' last='Dreves'] notching 20 kills and sister Sydney recording a double-double with 10 kills and 19 digs. [player_tooltip player_id='201074' first='Elizabeth' last='Andrew'] led Ridgefield with 14 kills and [player_tooltip player_id='260128' first='Hailey' last='McEllrath'] was tough in the middle with 10 kills of her own. Burlington-Edison also swept Meridian, with Meridian playing a strong opening set before the combination of juniors [player_tooltip player_id='250396' first='Lexie' last='Mason'] and [player_tooltip player_id='250397' first='Mia' last='Whitlock'] took over for the Tigers. Kamiakin had a strong showing, with two tough victories 2-1 over Chelan and Mt. Spokane and a loss in bracket play to eventual tournament champions Wenatchee in 2 sets. Recent commit senior MB [player_tooltip player_id='250021' first='Jule' last='Whitley'] (Eastern Oregon) was a strong presence at the net for the Braves.   The Greater Spokane League 3A/4A regular season has been dominated by 3A teams Mead and Mt. Spokane for several years. This season may see a shakeup in the 3A ranks with Ridgeline from Liberty Lake making a strong push for a state tournament spot. Ridgeline has a chance to make a statement in the 3A race versus Mt. Spokane on the road Tuesday. Ridgeline seniors libero [player_tooltip player_id='251542' first='Makayla' last='Hickman'] and outside [player_tooltip player_id='251545' first='Julianne' last='Hemphill'] set the tone defensively for the tenacious Falcons. Mt. Spokane is rounding into form and looked tough at the Sheridan-Welch tournament. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='246353' first='Jordyn' last='Williams'], Mia Bontrager, [player_tooltip player_id='445202' first='Amanda' last='Moffatt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='252593' first='Jillian' last='Davis'] know how to win and the Wildcats young talent is gathering steam.   Gig Harbor vs. North Thurston on Tuesday is the first of two matches between two of the top teams in the 3A South Sound. Its a terrific match for setters with [player_tooltip player_id='259676' first='Lydia' last='Ward'] and [player_tooltip player_id='251032' first='Samantha' last='Humphrey'] running the offenses. Gig Harbor middles including [player_tooltip player_id='409077' first='Hannah' last='Artman'] will try to keep [player_tooltip player_id='363992' first='Addison' last='Conner'] in check and give the Tides a fighting chance. There are several club connections between the two teams, players should have a fun night battling for school bragging rights.   The 2B/1B NWB has a great contest Tuesday night- La Connor vs. Orcas Island. La Connor took home the 2B state championship with Elle Marble dominating the tournament like she had her entire career. With Marble's graduation La Connor is retooling, but have two big time performers back in seniors Abby Udlock at setter and [player_tooltip player_id='493171' first='Morgan' last='Huizenga'] at the pin. La Connor has been playing a very challenging schedule and have a 4-4 overall record, 3-0 in league. 1B Orcas Island sits at 6-2 overall and 4-0 in league. Captains Bethany Carter and Seraphine Knapp lead the squad along with returning all-league second teamer Milana Schneider and honorable mention junior Ava Ashcraft. Both teams have had a tough 5 set battle with Coupeville this season, so the match-up should be a close one.   AVCA PLAYER OF THE WEEK- WASHINGTON   Each and every week the AVCA and MaxPreps award a player of the week to each state. To be eligible for the award players must have their stats updated in MaxPreps. Check out the wards here,<a href="https://www.avca.org/award/2023-maxpreps-avca-girls-high-school-players-of-the-week-award-week-7/."> https://www.avca.org/award/2023-maxpreps-avca-girls-high-school-players-of-the-week-award-week-7/.</a> We have known about this weeks winner for a while now at Prep Dig Washington, [player_tooltip player_id='250418' first='Layne' last='Dent'], our #7 overall ranked prospect for the class of 2025. Congratulations Layne!   Washington starts a bit later than most states- here were the winners for week 4-6. [player_tooltip player_id='231549' first='Laura' last='Eichert'], Lake Stevens, [player_tooltip player_id='250397' first='Mia' last='Whitlock'], Burlington-Edison and [player_tooltip player_id='230149' first='Payton' last='Davis'], Oakesdale.    North Idaho Minute   Jolee Ecklund | 5'10 MB/OH | 2024 |Troy. Ecklund plays all the way around whether she is on the outside or in the middle and she carried Troy into the Gold Bracket of the Sheridan-Welch tournament in Spokane. Troy handled Cedar Park Christian in the first round of Gold and defeated Shadle Park in pool play. Ecklund went down against Cedar Park with an apparent ankle injury at one point in the match, but she shook it off and finished out the tournament.   Addy Jo Hocking | 5'4 Libero | 2025 | Lakeland. Lakeland is another team that pushed into Gold at the tournament, and Hocking was the defensive whiz making plays all over the court. Lakeland has a nice group of bigs that draw the eye with huge swings and stuff blocks, Hocking is the engine that makes Lakeland go.   The Prep Dig Washington Top 250 Expo: December 2nd 2023   We are excited to bring Washington a Prep Dig Top 250 Expo Showcase this winter! Thank you to the Academy Sportscenter in Lynnwood for use of the awesome facility, we are grateful for the opportunity to play host to the athletes from all over the state there. Our December 2nd event slots in after the State Tournament and Thanksgiving, but before club tournaments fire up. Seniors; I encourage you to make a weekend of it and cap your high school career in the Showcase and playing in the 2023 Senior All-State Volleyball Match the next day, December 3rd at Burlington-Edison High School.   For all the information on the Top 250 Expo follow this link: <a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/</a>, The coverage will be extensive on social media and on Prep Dig, the competition fun and fierce and the coaches working the event knowledgeable. We have a discount code for you to use for $10 off EtterExpo2023, and Early Bird sign up saves another $20 until October 15th.

Rankings, Polls and RPI!